It's Official. SENATOR Al Franken

It's about time.

By my count that's 58 Democrats and 2 Independents - both of whom say they'll caucus with the Democrats. I am confident about Saunders of Vt but Lieberman of Ct is an ass.

On the other hand, that leaves only 40 (count 'em 40) Republicans in the Senate.

Poor GOP. Poor poor GOP.

MN Supreme Court Declares Franken Winner

Congratulations,
SENATOR Al Franken!

Your move, Pawlenty. Will you keep your word?

CNN: Your state supreme court has a ruling before it, it could come very soon. After that ruling, the next step would be for you to certify the election. Will you certify the election based on your state’s supreme court ruling, is that for you?

PAWLENTY: I’m going to follow the direction of the court, John. We expect that ruling any day now. I also expect them to give guidance and direction as to the certificate of election. I’m prepared to sign it as soon as they give the green light.

.

Not-Senator Norm Coleman Says 'God Wants Me to Serve'

From Smart Politics:

On Friday, Coleman made the media rounds with radio interviews that included conservative nationally syndicated radio talk show host Mike Gallagher.

[snip]

When asked about the recount and how it is affecting him personally, Coleman said he starts every day with a prayer and that he knows “God wants me to serve.” Coleman did later temper those rather immodest remarks by adding that he “is not indispensable” and that others can serve as well.

We here at 2 Political Junkies hope that if there is a God, that Coleman was right about God wanting him to serve:


They also serve who only stand and wait
.

Compare and Contrast

(My cat, Clio, is sick -- vet appointment tomorrow -- so, yes, I'm blogging lite stuff because I need to take my mind off things.)

Soon-to-be-Senator Al Franken:


Vs.

The Singing Senators:

And, for a real time waster, check out this video of John Ashcroft singing "Let the Eagle Soar" played backwards and just try and tell me that he doesn't worship Satan! HA!
.

Senator Franken

Two happy words.

From Reuters:

Democrat Al Franken will be declared the winner of the tight U.S. Senate contest in Minnesota, emerging from a ballot recount with a slim margin over Republican Norm Coleman, state officials said on Sunday.

But Krugman's description of the GOP as a party of whiners extends all the way to Minnesota.

But Coleman, the incumbent, has asked Minnesota's supreme court to require that a few hundred additional absentee ballots be included in the recount -- and he could then ask the court to investigate the contest all over again.

Norm Coleman, WATB.

I wonder if my friend Jack Kelly will be writing another column about how a duly-elected candidate should be seated. I wonder what my friend Jack Kelly thinks of the threatened filibuster by his friends in the GOP?

Questions? Comments? Remarks? Drop me an e-mail.

UPDATE from JT:

I've been following the recount in the Minnesota papers, and it looks like everything was done transparently and above the board. Congrats, Senator Franken! That said, I'm not yet convinced he'll be an effective senator. Not because he isn't familiar with the issues or not smart enought (he's both well versed, intellegent, and perceptive) but because as a satirist, I'm not sure his wit/sarcasm will go over well in the old boys club. Now, please prove me wrong Al! That said, I wish we had more citizen legislators like Franken in office, and fewer career politicians.